The best road bike is the one that fits the riding you do. A bike built for racing feels very different to one built for long, comfortable miles, and an aero bike made for speed on the flat is a different tool again. So rather than crown a single winner, here are five road bikes we have in stock now, one for each kind of rider, from a fast all-rounder to an endurance bike, an aero bike and a women's race bike.
Every bike here is one the cycling press has rated highly, and we have linked those reviews so you can read them in full. Two of the five are reduced in our clearance right now. Prices below are correct at the time of writing.
1. Giant TCR Advanced 1, the all-rounder
Race all-rounder
£2799
The Giant TCR Advanced 1 is one of the classic race bikes, and the all-rounder of this list. It pairs a light, stiff carbon frame with some aero tube shaping, so it climbs well, accelerates quickly and holds speed on the flat. Cycling Weekly rates the TCR as fast and agile without breaking the bank, and it is a regular in best road bike lists.
If you want one quick bike for fast group rides, climbs and the odd race, this is the place to start. It is the do-everything choice for riders who do not want to be boxed into aero or endurance.
2. Trek Domane SL 6 Gen 4, the endurance choice
Endurance
£2400 £4175
The Trek Domane SL 6 is the comfort and distance choice, and it is the biggest saving here, down from £4175 to £2400. It uses a light 500-series OCLV carbon frame with Trek's IsoSpeed system, which smooths out rough roads, plus wireless Shimano 105 Di2 shifting and clearance for wide tyres. Velo found the Domane SL quick, comfortable and easy to recommend.
This is the bike for long days in the saddle, mixed road surfaces and riders who value comfort over outright speed. At this price it is a lot of bike for the money.
View the Trek Domane SL 6 Gen 4
3. Cervelo Soloist 105, the aero bike
Aero
£2800 £4000
The Cervelo Soloist 105 is the speed pick, down from £4000 to £2800. Cervelo position it between their lightweight R5 climber and their full aero S5, so it gives you most of the aero benefit while staying light enough to be an everyday fast bike. BikeRadar called the Soloist a do-it-all, aero-inspired bike that rides brilliantly.
Buy it if your riding is fast group rides and flat or rolling roads where holding speed matters, and you want that without paying a full aero-flagship price.
4. Liv Langma Advanced 1, the women's race bike
Women's race
£2799
The Liv Langma Advanced 1 is the women's-specific pick. Liv is the women's brand from Giant, and it designs its bikes from the frame up using women's fit data. The Langma is its lightweight race bike, the women's equivalent of the Giant TCR, built to climb and hold speed. road.cc called the Langma an exceptional lightweight road bike and a great all-rounder, and an earlier model was named BikeRadar's Women's Road Bike of the Year.
If you want a women's-specific race all-rounder rather than a unisex frame set up to fit, the Langma is the one to ride.
View the Liv Langma Advanced 1
5. Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 8, the modern aero all-rounder
Aero all-rounder
£3800 £4250
The Trek Madone SL 6 is the latest Gen 8 Madone, down from £4250 to £3800. With this generation Trek merged its aero Madone and lightweight Emonda into one race bike, so you get aero speed and low weight together. The SL frame uses OCLV 500 carbon to bring that race tech to a lower price. Cyclist found the Gen 8 Madone fast and capable across flats and climbs alike.
This is the step up for the rider who wants both aero speed and climbing in a single bike, and the newest road platform Trek makes.
View the Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 8
The five at a glance
| Bike | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Giant TCR Advanced 1 | Race all-rounder | £2799 |
| Trek Domane SL 6 Gen 4 | Endurance | £2400 (was £4175) |
| Cervelo Soloist 105 | Aero | £2800 (was £4000) |
| Liv Langma Advanced 1 | Women's race | £2799 |
| Trek Madone SL 6 Gen 8 | Aero all-rounder | £3800 (was £4250) |
How to choose between them
Here is the short version. For a fast bike that does everything, the Giant TCR, or the Liv Langma if you want a women's-specific frame. For comfort on long miles, the Trek Domane. For speed on the flat and in groups, the Cervelo Soloist, or the Trek Madone if you want aero and climbing in one.
If your budget is lower, a good aluminium road bike like the Trek Domane AL or Giant Contend starts from around £750 and is a sound way into road riding. If you are after carbon, the full range is on the carbon road bikes page. Liv also makes women's versions across the board: the Avail for endurance, the Langma for racing and the EnviLiv for aero.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best road bike?
It depends on the riding you do. For a fast all-rounder that climbs well, the Giant TCR is hard to beat. For comfort on long miles, the Trek Domane. For speed on the flat, the Cervelo Soloist or Trek Madone. For a women's-specific race bike, the Liv Langma. All five are in stock and have been rated highly by the cycling press.
What is the difference between an endurance, aero and all-rounder road bike?
An endurance bike has a more relaxed position and features that smooth the road for comfort on long rides, like the Trek Domane. An aero bike is shaped to cut through the air for speed on the flat and in groups, like the Cervelo Soloist or Trek Madone. An all-rounder is light and stiff and does a bit of everything, climbing well and holding speed, like the Giant TCR and Liv Langma.
How much should I spend on a road bike?
A good aluminium road bike starts at around £750, and carbon road bikes start at around £2000. Spend more and the money mostly buys a lighter frame, electronic shifting, better wheels and more aerodynamics. How much you need depends on how often and how far you ride, so it is worth talking it through before you decide.
Do you sell women's road bikes?
Yes. Liv is a women's brand that designs its bikes from the frame up, with the Avail endurance bike, the Langma race bike and the EnviLiv aero bike. Many unisex road bikes also suit women well once set up for fit. Come into the Kilmarnock shop and we will help you find the right bike and size.
Before you buy. Road bike sizing and fit vary between brands, and the right fit matters more than anything on a road bike. Come into the Sprockets shop in Kilmarnock to sit on the bike and get the size right. Stock moves quickly, so call first on 01563 526800 to check the bike you want is in.